Dirty Secrets by Lonaire Drummond Page B

granny?” 
    “You’re siding with him?”
    “I’m not siding with him, he’s a prick.  However, I can understand things from his point of view.  You pulled the old bait and switch on him.  You got him hooked on Pinot Noir and then tried to substitute it with Boones Farm.  What did you expect?” 
    “Not to be called a slut,” Adele said.
    “Semantics, he didn’t say you were a slut.  He said you were acting like a slut.  Were you or were you not acting like a slut?”
    “Well…..yes.  What am I supposed to do now?”
    “Get a massage, gather yourself together, and muster up an apology.  Blame it on jet lag or mad cow disease,” Robynne said. 
    “I’m not apologizing.” 
    Adele ended the call with Robynne more confused than ever.  She drew herself a bath and submerged her troubles in the steaming water.  Adele held her breath under the bubbles, intent on coming out on the other side of this terrible day.  She emerged from the water just in time to hear loud knocking at her cottage door.  She went to investigate, although she knew exactly who would be calling down the devil for her to open the door. 
    “Adele, apri la porta,” Ambrogio said. 
    “I won’t open the door,” Adele said.
    “Just let me in so I can explain myself.”   
    “I can’t open the door.  Someone’s taking me up on my offer.”  She hoped the jealousy picked at his innards.
    “I know you do not have anyone with you.”  
    “I’m a slut.  It’s what we do.  I read it in the handbook.  Go away,”  Adele said.
    “I am sorry.  I didn’t mean it.  You caught me by surprise.”
    “Remind me to never surprise you again,” Adele said.
    “Adele, per favore!  Open the door.  Let me apologize to your beautiful face.”
    “I’m busy. Go away.”
    “This isn’t over.  You will let me make it up to you.”
    Adele resolved to not let Ambrogio ruin her trip.  She marched down to guest services in a pair of white shorts and a yellow t-shirt.  A portion of Robynne’s advice resonated with Adele.  She would have her need for Ambrogio massaged out of every inch of her body. 
    “Hi Celeste.  I want to schedule a massage for today, if possible.”
    “I know hey had a last minute cancellation, so just head up there.  I will let the spa know you’re coming.  By the way, this is on the house too.  I can’t thank you enough for helping me out the other day,” Celeste said. 
    Since the spa stood just a few feet from Ambrogio’s cottage, Adele made a point of hurrying to ensure she wouldn’t have another encounter with him.   When she made it to the spa, Ambrogio free, Adele eased thoughts of the worst encounter she’s ever had with anyone out of her mind. 
    The dome-shaped building housing Enchantment Day Spa overlooked the sea.  A quartz encrusted structure twinkled in the sunlight.  Keeping in line with the structure of many of the buildings on the property, a large portion of the spa was made of rock, except on the east wall, where a full size aquarium stood. 
    A stingray, turtles, and a cavalcade of various multi-colored fish were among the sea life on display.  Adele approached the desk, a wood structure shaped like a cresting wave, to greet a caramel-colored woman with a subdued smile on her face. 
    “Adele, I presume?” she said.
    “Hi, nice to meet you, Pauline.” Adele eyed her name tag. 
    The curvy woman motioned for Adele to follow her to one of ten rooms nestled within the dome’s nature-themed abodes.  Door tags with “Antarctica,” “Amazon” and “Victoria Falls,” were just a few of the world wonders reconstructed at the spa. 
    “The roof of our spa retracts,” Pauline said. 
    When Pauline pushed a button, the roof parted and Adele said hello to the bright azure sky.  Impressed, she breathed in the lavender infused air, holding it in her nose  for a beat. 
    “Lovely will be your masseuse today.  She’s known for her strong hands,” Pauline